Eclipse Viewing

May 20, 2012

4:15 PM - 6:30 PM

On Sunday, May 20th, the Moon will pass between the Sun and Earth creating a Solar Eclipse that sweeps across east Asia, the Northern Pacific Ocean, and onto the southwestern United States. Reno will be the only major city along the shadow's narrow path!

MacLean Observatory

Reno is very near the central path of this eclipse, which crosses parts of the Southwestern United States. The period of maximum eclipse as viewed from Reno will be from 6:28-6:33 p.m. on Sunday, May 20, 2012. A free solar eclipse viewing will be offered at the following location:

Where: MacLean Observatory on the Redfield Campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, 18600 Wedge Parkway in southwest Reno

Looking directly at the sun without protection can cause serious eye damage. For safe viewing, the Planetarium will provide solar viewers available for sale in the Science Store and distributed at community events, and will include links on our website for building your own safe-viewing devices. For more information, go to www.planetarium.unr.edu/Gift_Shop.html.

Pyramid Lake

Another great option for viewing this astronomical event is Pyramid Lake, located 35 miles northeast of Reno, as the path of the eclipse passes directly over the south end of the lake and Nixon. For more information about Pyramid Lake, please visit www.pyramidlake.us.

Pyramid Lake is located 35 miles Northeast of Reno, NV and is the property of, and managed by, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. Pyramid Lake is known as being North America’s most beautiful desert lake and home to many year round recreational activities. Designated as the first National Scenic Byway entirely on an Indian reservation, it was recently named Nevada’s first Preserve America Tribal Community. The lake occupies 112,000 surface acres inside the reservation boundary and has a shoreline of approximately 125 miles.